Fall 2016 EDWF 4100 101W

1. BRAINSTORMING
In the Classroom
Matt Garrett

2. WHAT IS BRAINSTORMING?
To produce an idea or way of solving a
problem by holding a spontaneous group
discussion.

3. WHAT IS BRAINSTORMING?
• Brainstorming is a group process for generating
new ideas
• Brainstorming is "a conference technique by
which a group attempts to find a solution for a
specific problem by amassing all the ideas
spontaneously by its members" - Alex Osborn
• Brainstorming is using a set of specific rules and
techniques to encourage new ideas from previous
knowledge to form about a new topic

4. WHAT IS BRAINSTORMING?
• Getting a group of people together to bounce ideas off of each
other regarding one single topic.
• These ideas are thrown into a melting pot and stirred around.
• All of the old knowledge being thrown around the room sparks
new knowledge on the topic at hand.

5. BRAINSTORMING IN THE CLASSROOM
• Aids the learning process
• Boosts academic performance
• Students use previous knowledge to
learn a new topic
• Encourages listening to others
• Engages students in discussion

6. BRAINSTORMING IN THE CLASSROOM
•Encourages self-learning
•Promotes thinking skills
•Is interactive
•Promotes free generation of
ideas
•Build on other students ideas

7. BRAINSTORMING IN THE CLASSROOM
•Difficult to control the flow
of ideas in multiple groups
•Difficult to dictate the course
of conversation
•One student may take on
entire workload

8. BRAINSTORMING IN THE CLASSROOM
•Students can “hide” in the group
discussion
•Students may feel inhibited by
peers
•Can easily lead to criticism
•Taking turns in discussion is
time consuming

9. INCORPORATE BRAINSTORMING
A single group discussion where all students participate
and the teacher records all ideas
• Easy to control and dictate the
conversation
• Students must speak aloud to the
entire class

10. INCORPORATE BRAINSTORMING
Divide class into several groups or pairs of students each
with the same topic. Consider using different subtopics
• Students are in a smaller group, or
even with a friend they are
comfortable talking with
• Less control over topics and
conversations

11. INCORPORATE BRAINSTORMING
Have students write thoughts on a card and pass it to the
next student
• Students may be more apt to write
rather than speak aloud
• Can be time consuming

12. INCORPORATE BRAINSTORMING
Carousel Brainstorming
https://youtu.be/b0dBCPxJHlg
• Different subtopics are placed around the room
• Students add their thoughts to their own subtopic
• Students then “carousel” around the room to the next
subtopic
Carousel Brainstorming in detail

13. TO USE OR NOT TO USE…
Each class will respond differently
Each student will respond differently
Each day will be different from the last
“It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one”
–Alex Osborn ‘The Father of brainstorming’

14. RESOURCES
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2012/04/11/fp_graham.html
http://www.teacherplus.org/2008/october/brainstorming-in-the-classroom
https://k12teacherstaffdevelopment.com/tlb/how-can-i-facilitate-brainstorming-in-the-classroom/
http://www.howtolearn.com/2012/04/how-to-use-brainstorming-in-the-classroom/